Duke's Mike Krzyzewski: Tom Izzo 'a winner, and he wins the right way'

Mar. 28, 2013

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski says defensive rebounding "will be a key aspect" of the game between his team and Michigan State. "They punish you on the defensive boards," he said of the Spartans. / Rob Carr/Getty Images

Written by

Detroit Free Press Sports Writer

No one will accuse Mike Krzyzewski of being anything short of meticulous when scouting opponents.

Krzyzewski's insight on Michigan State, his Sweet 16 foe Friday night in Indianapolis, was on display in a Tuesday interview with Chris Russo on SiriusXM's Mad Dog Radio.

"I think the physicality that they play with -- clean, good, hard -- they've been accustomed to it with a tough Big Ten schedule," Krzyzewski said of the Spartans. "The kid who is playing great for them is (Derrick) Nix. Nix has had a great NCAA tournament. He's 6-9, 270-275.

"And then (Adreian) Payne, the other big kid, doesn't have the weight, but he has the length. He's probably 6-10, he has a 7-2 wingspan or something like that. He's really starting to hit his outside shot."

Also from Krzyzewski on the Spartans:

• On rebounding: "They always have three guys on the boards, those two guys and the kid, (Branden) Dawson, at the wing, or (Denzel) Valentine. They put three big, athletic guys on the boards all the time. They punish you on the defensive boards, so defensive rebounding will be a key aspect of this game."

• On the matchup in general: "You have to shoot well from the outside to beat them. I think it will be a terrific basketball game and worthy of the Sweet 16. They've been there a lot and (so have we). You don't get there without good kids who know how to win, and we both have that. I think this will be one of the really outstanding games of the entire tournament."

• On MSU coach Tom Izzo: "He's a great friend. He's what coaching is all about. He's not bigger than the game, he knows that the game has been good to us. And he's been good to the game. He's a coach's coach, a great competitor, and his teams have always played at a high level on both ends of the court. They are known for their great rebounding, and they have it again this year, especially the offensive boards. But Tom's a winner, and he wins the right way."

DOING IT ALL: MSU point guard Keith Appling has been doing everything in practice despite a sore right shoulder, and he has even been cleared to take part in the rebounding "war" drill.

Of course, "war" turns into a fast break going the other way after a defensive rebound, and Appling doesn't actually try to get rebounds in the drill.

"I just outlet the ball and push it up the floor," he said. "I can do that."

Contact Joe Rexrode: 313-222-2625 or jrexrode@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @joerexrode. Check out his MSU blog at freep.com/heyjoe.

Join special writer Sean Merriman for a live blog of the MSU-Duke NCAA tournament game Friday night.